Electronic device including antenna

ABSTRACT

An electronic device includes a housing comprising a first surface, a second surface, and a side surface, a touch screen display positioned inside the housing, wherein the display comprises a display panel and a touch panel that is separated from or integrated with the display panel, a conductive member (conductor) forming at least a portion of the side surface, at least one substantially transparent conductive pattern that is integrated into the display, a ground member (ground) interposed between the first surface and the second surface, a wireless communication circuit including a port electrically coupled to the conductive member, and a processor electrically coupled to the display and the wireless communication circuit. The substantially transparent conductive pattern is electrically coupled to the port of the wireless communication circuit and/or the ground member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/435,665, filed Feb. 17, 2017, which is based on and claims priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 119 to a Korean patent application filed on Feb. 17,2016 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office and assigned Serialnumber 10-2016-0018672. The contents of each of these applications areincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to an electronic deviceincluding an antenna.

BACKGROUND

An electronic device, such as a smartphone, may include an antenna for awireless communication function. For example, an antenna may be mountedunder a display panel or an antenna may be mounted in an area except fora display area of a display. Further, in recent years, as users whoprefer large screens have increased, electronic devices, of whichdisplays are larger or which include sub-displays, have been activelydistributed. For example, electronic devices having full front displays,in which the displays occupy almost all areas of the front surfacethereof, are being actively distributed.

When the sizes of the displays become larger or sub-displays areincluded, the display areas are expanded but spaces for antennas maybecome insufficient or it may be difficult to secure the performances ofthe antennas.

The above information is presented as background information only toassist with an understanding of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

Various example of the present disclosure address at least theabove-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and provide at least theadvantages described below. Accordingly, an example aspect of thepresent disclosure provides an electronic device that may secure theradiation performance of an antenna while including a large screendisplay or a sub-display.

In accordance with an example aspect of the present disclosure, anelectronic device includes: a housing comprising a first surface facinga first direction, a second surface facing a second direction oppositethe first direction, and a side surface at least partially surrounding aspace between the first surface and the second surface, a touch screendisplay positioned inside the housing and exposed through the firstsurface, wherein the display comprises a display panel and a touch panelthat is separated from or integrated with the display panel, a conductorforming at least a portion of the side surface, at least onesubstantially transparent conductive pattern that is integrated into thedisplay, a ground interposed between the first surface and the secondsurface, a wireless communication circuit including a port electricallycoupled to the conductor, and a processor electrically coupled to thedisplay and the wireless communication circuit. The substantiallytransparent conductive pattern is electrically coupled to the port ofthe wireless communication circuit and/or the ground.

In accordance with another example aspect of the present disclosure, anelectronic device includes: a housing comprising a first surface facinga first direction, a second surface facing a second direction oppositethe first direction, and a side surface at least partially surrounding aportion of a space between the first surface and the second surface, atouch screen display disposed inside the housing and exposed to theoutside through the first surface, wherein the display comprises adisplay panel and a touch panel that is separated from or integratedwith the display panel, a first conductor forming at least a portion ofthe side surfaces, at least one other conductor that is disposed in theinterior of the display and adjacent to the touch panel and comprises asubstantially transparent conductive pattern, a ground located betweenthe first surface and the second surface, a wireless communicationcircuit comprising a port electrically connected with the firstconductor, and a processor that is electrically connected with thedisplay and the wireless communication circuit. The substantiallytransparent conductive pattern is electrically connected with the portof the wireless communication circuit and/or the ground.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses various embodiments of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and attendant advantages of thepresent disclosure will be more apparent and readily appreciated fromthe following detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to likeelements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an exampleelectronic device according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example electronic deviceaccording to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example electronic device accordingto an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A is a cross sectional view illustrating an example electronicdevice according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B is a cross sectional view illustrating an electronic device inwhich a touch panel and a front cover are integrally formed, accordingto an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4C is a cross sectional view illustrating an example electronicdevice in which a touch panel is attached to a front cover, according toan example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4D is a cross sectional view illustrating an example electronicdevice in which a touch panel is provided in a display panel in anon-cell form, according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4E is a cross sectional view illustrating an example electronicdevice in which a touch panel is provided in a display panel in anin-cell form, according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5A is a cross sectional view illustrating an example electronicdevice that includes an antenna that overlaps a display area of adisplay according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5B is a cross sectional view illustrating an example electronicdevice in which a touch panel and an antenna are formed in the samelayer, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 5C is a cross sectional view illustrating an example electronicdevice that includes an antenna that overlaps a display area of adisplay and a touch panel provided in an in-cell form, according to anexample embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5D is a cross sectional view illustrating an example electronicdevice in which an antenna that overlaps a display area of a display anda touch panel provided in an in-cell form are formed in the same layer,according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5E is a cross sectional view illustrating an example electronicdevice in which an antenna is provided in a display panel in an in-cellform, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 5F is a cross sectional view illustrating an example electronicdevice in which an antenna and a pressure sensor are formed in the samelayer of a display panel in an in-cell form, according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an example electronic device in whicha display area of a display is logically classified, according to anexample embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating an example electronic device in whicha display area of a display is logically classified in another form,according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a part of an exampleelectronic device according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating an example sub-antenna that isconnected with a main antenna, according to an example embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating an example sub-antenna that isconnected with a switch, according to an example embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 8C is a diagram illustrating an example slot antenna according toan example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view illustrating a portion of an exampleelectronic device, illustrating a connection structure of a sub-antennaand a ground member, according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9B is a cross sectional view illustrating a portion of an exampleelectronic device, illustrating a connection structure of a sub-antennaand a ground member, according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a part of anexample electronic device in another form according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example connection structure of anantenna that utilizes a switch, according to an example embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 12A is an exploded perspective view illustrating an exampleelectronic device having a circular display according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12B is a cross sectional view illustrating an example electronicdevice having a circular display according to an example embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 13A is a diagram illustrating an example antenna that utilizes aportion of a touch panel according to an example embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 13B is a diagram illustrating an example antenna that is separatedfrom a touch panel, according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 13C is a diagram illustrating an example antenna that utilizes aportion of a touch panel in another form, according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13D is a diagram illustrating an example method of processing awiring line in an area of an antenna that overlaps an electrode of atouch panel according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example method of processing atouch in an area of a display area of a display, which overlaps anantenna, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example electronic device in anetwork environment according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an example electronic deviceaccording to an example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating an example program moduleaccording to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbersare used to depict the same or similar elements, features, andstructures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, various example embodiments of the present disclosure aredisclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, thepresent disclosure is not intended to be limited by the variousembodiments of the present disclosure to a specific embodiment and it isintended that the present disclosure covers all modifications,equivalents, and/or alternatives of the present disclosure provided theycome within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Withrespect to the descriptions of the accompanying drawings, like referencenumerals refer to like elements.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used to enablea clear and consistent understanding of the present disclosure.Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that thefollowing description of various embodiments of the present disclosureis provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose oflimiting the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims andtheir equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes referenceto one or more of such surfaces.

The term “include,” “comprise,” and “have”, or “may include,” or “maycomprise” and “may have” used herein indicates disclosed functions,operations, or existence of elements but does not exclude otherfunctions, operations or elements.

For example, the expressions “A or B,” or “at least one of A and/or B”may indicate A and B, A, or B. For instance, the expression “A or B” or“at least one of A and/or B” may indicate (1) at least one A, (2) atleast one B, or (3) both at least one A and at least one B.

The terms such as “1st,” “2nd,” “first,” “second,” and the like usedherein may refer to modifying various different elements of variousembodiments of the present disclosure, but are not intended to limit theelements. For instance, “a first user device” and “a second user device”may indicate different users regardless of order or importance. Forexample, a first component may be referred to as a second component andvice versa without departing from the scope and spirit of the presentdisclosure.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, it is intended thatwhen a component (for example, a first component) is referred to asbeing “operatively or communicatively coupled with/to” or “connected to”another component (for example, a second component), the component maybe directly connected to the other component or connected throughanother component (for example, a third component). In variousembodiments of the present disclosure, it is intended that when acomponent (for example, a first component) is referred to as being“directly connected to” or “directly accessed” another component (forexample, a second component), another component (for example, a thirdcomponent) does not exist between the component (for example, the firstcomponent) and the other component (for example, the second component).

The expression “configured to” used in various embodiments of thepresent disclosure may be interchangeably used with “suitable for,”“having the capacity to,” “designed to,” “adapted to,” “made to,” or“capable of” according to the situation, for example. The term“configured to” may not necessarily indicate “specifically designed to”in terms of hardware. Instead, the expression “a device configured to”in some situations may indicate that the device and another device orpart are “capable of.” For example, the expression “a processorconfigured to perform A, B, and C” may indicate a dedicated processor(for example, an embedded processor) for performing a correspondingoperation or a general purpose processor (for example, a centralprocessing unit (CPU) or application processor (AP)) for performingcorresponding operations by executing at least one software programstored in a memory device.

Terms used in various embodiments of the present disclosure are used todescribe certain embodiments of the present disclosure, but are notintended to limit the scope of other embodiments. The terms of asingular form may include plural forms unless they have a clearlydifferent meaning in the context. Otherwise, all terms used herein mayhave the same meanings that are generally understood by a person skilledin the art. In general, terms defined in a dictionary should beconsidered to have the same meanings as the contextual meaning of therelated art, and, unless clearly defined herein, should not beunderstood differently or as having an excessively formal meaning. Inany case, even the terms defined in the present disclosure are notintended to be interpreted as excluding embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

An electronic device according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure may include at least one of a smartphone, a tablet personalcomputer (PC), a mobile phone, a video telephone, an electronic bookreader, a desktop PC, a laptop PC, a netbook computer, a workstation, aserver, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player(PMP), a Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG-1 or MPEG-2) Audio Layer 3(MP3) player, a mobile medical device, a camera, or a wearable device.The wearable device may include at least one of an accessory-type device(e.g., a watch, a ring, a bracelet, an anklet, a necklace, glasses, acontact lens, a head-mounted device (HMD)), a textile- orclothing-integrated-type device (e.g., an electronic apparel), abody-attached-type device (e.g., a skin pad or a tattoo), or abio-implantable-type device (e.g., an implantable circuit), or the like,but is not limited thereto.

In some various embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronicdevice may be a home appliance. The smart home appliance may include atleast one of, for example, a television (TV), a digital video/versatiledisc (DVD) player, an audio, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, acleaner, an oven, a microwave oven, a washing machine, an air cleaner, aset-top box, a home automation control panel, a security control panel,a television (TV) box (e.g., Samsung HomeSync™, Apple TV™, or GoogleTV™), a game console (e.g., Xbox™ or PlayStation™), an electronicdictionary, an electronic key, a camcorder, or an electronic pictureframe, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

In other various embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronicdevice may include at least one of various medical devices (e.g.,various portable medical measurement devices (e.g., a blood glucosemeasuring device, a heart rate measuring device, a blood pressuremeasuring device, a body temperature measuring device, or the like), amagnetic resonance angiography (MRA), a magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), a computed tomography (CT), a scanner, an ultrasonic device, orthe like), a navigation device, a global navigation satellite system(GNSS), an event data recorder (EDR), a flight data recorder (FDR), avehicle infotainment device, electronic equipment for vessels (e.g., anavigation system, a gyrocompass, or the like), avionics, a securitydevice, a head unit for a vehicle, an industrial or home robot, anautomatic teller machine (ATM), a point of sales (POS) device of astore, or an Internet of things (IoT) device (e.g., a light bulb,various sensors, an electric or gas meter, a sprinkler, a fire alarm, athermostat, a streetlamp, a toaster, exercise equipment, a hot watertank, a heater, a boiler, or the like), or the like, but is not limitedthereto.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, anelectronic device may include at least one of a part of furniture or abuilding/structure, an electronic board, an electronic signaturereceiving device, a projector, or a measuring instrument (e.g., a watermeter, an electricity meter, a gas meter, a wave meter, or the like), orthe like, but is not limited thereto. An electronic device may be one ormore combinations of the above-mentioned devices. An electronic deviceaccording to some various embodiments of the present disclosure may be aflexible device. An electronic device according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned devices, andmay include new electronic devices with the development of newtechnology.

Hereinafter, an electronic device according to various embodiments ofthe present disclosure will be described in more detail with referenceto the accompanying drawings. The term “user” used herein may refer to aperson who uses an electronic device or may refer to a device (e.g., anartificial intelligence electronic device) that uses an electronicdevice.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an exampleelectronic device according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an electronicdevice according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the electronic device 100 may include adisplay 110, a bracket 130, a printed circuit board (e.g., a firstprinted circuit board 151 and a second printed circuit board 153), afunctional module (e.g., a camera 160), a housing 170, a battery 180,and a rear cover 190. According to various embodiments, a front cover(or a cover glass layer) may be provided on the display 110 whilecovering the display 110. The front cover, for example, may define anexternal appearance of the electronic device 100. According to anembodiment, at least an area of the front cover may be formed of atransparent material (e.g., glass), and a screen that is output throughthe display 110 may be displayed to the outside through the transparentarea of the front cover. According to an embodiment, the front cover maybe formed of a material that has a light transmitting property, aheat-resistant property, a chemical-resistant property, and a highmechanical strength. The front cover, for example, may be a transparentfilm or a glass substrate that is formed of polyethyleneterephthalate,or may be a plastic substrate that is formed of polyimide, polyamide,polymethylmethacrylate, polypropylene, polyurethane, or the like.

The display 110 according to an embodiment may display various contents(e.g., a text, an image, a video, an icon, and a symbol). As anotherexample, the display 110 may include a touch screen and receive, forexample, a touch, a gesture, a proximity, or a hovering input using anelectronic pen or the user's body. According to various embodiments, thedisplay 110 may include a plurality of layers. According to anembodiment, the display 110 may include a touch detection layer, adisplay layer, a pressure detection layer, or the like. However, thepresent disclosure is not limited thereto. According to variousembodiments, at least one of the layers of the display 110 may beexcluded, or at least one other layer (e.g., an antenna layer or afingerprint recognition layer) may be further included.

The touch detection layer, for example, may include a touch sensor thatmay detect a contact or an approach of a touch object (e.g., anelectronic pen or a portion of the body of the user). According to anembodiment, the touch detection layer may be arranged in the form of apanel, and in this case, may be referred to as a touch panel. The touchsensor may include a conductive material, and may be arranged in atransverse axis (or the x axis) and a longitudinal axis (or the y axis)in the touch panel to define a lattice structure.

The display layer according to an embodiment may be arranged in the formof a panel, and may be referred to as a display panel. The display panelmay have different structures and forms based on a manner ofimplementing colors. The display panel may include a polymer layer, aplurality of display elements that are coupled to one surface of thepolymer layer, and at least one conductive line that is coupled to thepolymer layer and is electrically connected with the plurality ofdisplay elements. According to an embodiment, the polymer layer mayinclude polyimide. The plurality of display elements are arranged on onesurface of the polymer layer in a matrix form to define pixels of thedisplay panels, and may include a fluorescent material or an organicmaterial that may express colors. According to an embodiment, theplurality of display elements may include organic light emitting diodes(OLEDs). The conductive line may include at least one gate signal lineor at least one data signal line. According to an embodiment, aplurality of gate signal lines and a plurality of data signal lines arearranged in a matrix form, and the plurality of display elements may bearranged adjacent to points where lines cross each other and may beelectrically connected with each other.

According to various embodiments, the display panel may be connectedwith a display driver IC (DDI). The display driving circuit may beelectrically connected with the conductive line. The display drivingcircuit may include a driver IC that provides a driving signal and animage signal to the display panel, or a timing controller (T-con) thatcontrols the driving signal and the image signal. The driver IC mayinclude a gate driver IC that sequentially selects the gate signal linesof the display panel and applies a scan signal (or a driving signal) tothe selected gate signal lines, and a data driver IC (or a source driverIC) that applies an image signal to the data signal lines of the displaypanel. According to an embodiment, if the gate driver IC selects a gatesignal line, and applies a scan signal to the selected gate signal lineto convert the corresponding display element into an active state, thedata driver IC may apply an image signal to the corresponding displayelement through the data signal line. The timing controller may adjust atransmission time of the signal transmitted to the driver IC to preventa difference between display times that may occur in a process ofoutputting the adjusted transmission time on the display panel.

The pressure detection layer, for example, may detect a pressure appliedfrom the outside and may convert the detected pressure to an electricalsignal that may be used for measurement or control. According to anembodiment, the pressure detection layer may include a pressure sensor,and in some embodiments, may include a piezoelectric element (e.g., apiezo sensor).

According to various embodiments, the display 110 may be formed on atleast one surface as well as on the front surface of the electronicdevice 100. According to an embodiment, the display 110 may include afront surface part, a lower side surface part that extends form a lowerend of the front surface part and is bent towards the rear surface ofthe housing 170, and an upper side surface part that extends from anupper end of the front surface part and is bent towards the rear surfaceof the housing 170. However, the present disclosure is not limitedthereto. In some embodiments, the display 110 may further include a leftside surface part that extends from a left end of the front surface partand is bent towards the rear surface of the housing 170 or a right sidesurface part that extends from a right end of the front surface part andis bent towards the rear surface of the housing 170.

The bracket 130 according to an embodiment may include an insulatingmaterial, and may provide a space in which at least a portion of thedisplay 110 or the functional module may be seated. According to anembodiment, a bonding material may be applied to the bracket 130 or thebracket 130 may include a bonding layer such that at least a portion ofthe display 110 or the functional module may be fixed to the bracket130. According to an embodiment, the display 110 may be seated on afront surface of the bracket 130 and the front cover may be coupled tothe bracket 130 while covering a portion of a front surface of thebracket 130.

According to various embodiments, the bracket 130 may include at leastone opening. According to an embodiment, at least one of the functionalmodules may be connected with the printed circuit board 170 through theat least one opening formed in the bracket 130. According to variousembodiments, the bracket 130 may have one opening at an area other thanan peripheral area thereof, and in some embodiments, the number, theform, or the locations of the openings may be differently determinedaccording to the number, the form, or the locations of the modules,which are connected with the printed circuit board 170, of thefunctional modules.

According to an embodiment, the printed circuit board may be arrangedunder the bracket 130, and various electronic components may be mountedon the printed circuit board. For example, at least one electronicelement and circuit lines may be mounted on the printed circuit board,and at least some of them may be electrically connected with each other.The electronic components, for example, may include a processor, amemory, a communication module, or a functional module (e.g., the camera160).

According to various embodiments, the printed circuit board may beintegrally formed, or a plurality of printed circuit boards may bearranged. The drawing illustrates a state in which a first printedcircuit board 151 and a second printed circuit board 153 are provided.According to an embodiment, the first printed circuit board 151 and thesecond printed circuit board 153 may be electrically connected with eachother. As another example, the printed circuit board may be a rigidprinted circuit board or a flexible printed circuit board. For example,at least one of the first printed circuit board 151 or the secondprinted circuit board 153 may be a flexible printed circuit board(FPCB).

The functional module according to an embodiment may perform at leastone of the functions provided by the electronic device 100. For example,the functional module may include a camera 160 that performs aphotographing function. According to various embodiments, the functionalmodule may include a speaker (or a receiver) that outputs a sound, amicrophone that processes an input sound, a USB connector that performsan interface function for hardware communication between externaldevices, an earphone receptacle, or an SIM socket. According to variousembodiments, at least one of the functional modules may face the display110 through an opening formed in the bracket 130.

The housing 170 according to an embodiment may fix and support theinternal components of the electronic device 100. According to anembodiment, the display 110, the bracket 130, and the printed circuitboard may be sequentially stacked and may be seated on the housing 170.As another example, at least one of the functional modules may be seatedin and fixed to the housing 170. According to various embodiments, thehousing 170 may include a front surface, a rear surface, and sidesurfaces that surround at least a portion of a space between the frontsurface and the rear surface. According to various embodiments, as thedisplay 110 is expanded to at least one side surface of the electronicdevice 100, among the side surfaces of the housing 170, an upper sidesurface and a lower side surface may not be formed.

According to an embodiment, the housing 170 may have an opening thatpasses through the front surface and the rear surface of the housing 170such that the battery 180 may be attached to and detached from thehousing 170, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In someembodiments, the battery 180 may be integrally formed with the housing170 and the opening that passes through the front surface and the rearsurface of the housing 170 may not be formed. According to variousembodiments, the housing 170 may have at least one through-hole (or aninterfacing hole) on the side surface thereof. According to anembodiment, at least one of the functional modules may be exposed to theoutside through the through-hole.

According to various embodiments, at least one surface of the housing170 may be formed of a metallic material. According to an embodiment, aside surface of the housing 170 may include a metal frame. According tovarious embodiments, the front cover may be detachably mounted on thehousing 170. According to an embodiment, the front cover may be coupleda portion of to the side surface of the housing 170 while covering thefront surface of the housing 170.

The battery 180 according to an embodiment may supply electric power tothe electronic device 100. For example, the battery 180 may beelectrically connected with the printed circuit board. According to anembodiment, the battery 180 may be seated inside the housing 170.According to various embodiments, the battery 180 may be integrallyformed with the electronic device 100, or may be detachably mounted onthe electronic device 100.

The rear cover 190 according to an embodiment may define a rear externalappearance of the electronic device 100. According to variousembodiments, the rear cover 190 may be detachably mounted on the housing170. According to an embodiment, the rear cover 190 may be coupled to aportion of the side surface of the housing 170 while covering the rearsurface of the housing 170.

According to various embodiments, at least one of the elements of theelectronic device 100 may be excluded or at least one other element maybe further included. According to an embodiment, the electronic device100 may not include the rear cover 190, and in this case, the rearsurface of the housing 170 may define an external appearance of the rearsurface of the electronic device 100. According to various embodiments,the electronic device 100 may further include a ground member betweenthe display 110 and the bracket 130. The ground member may be formed ofa conductive material to provide a ground area. According to anembodiment, the ground member may be electrically connected with thedisplay 110 to provide a ground area. According to various embodiments,the ground member may prevent heat or electronic waves generated by thedisplay 110 from being introduced into the printed circuit board orprevent heat or electronic waves generated by the printed circuit boardfrom being introduced into the display 110.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example electronic device accordingto an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3, the electronic device 100 may include a display110. As illustrated, the display 110 may occupy the whole part of thefront surface of the electronic device 100 or almost all areas of thefront surface of the electronic device 100, except for a portionthereof. Accordingly, the in-use efficiency of the functional module(e.g., the camera 160) that has to be exposed to the outside through thefront surface of the electronic device 100 may be increased through asoftware manner or a hardware manner.

According to various embodiments, in the hardware manner, the display110 may include an opening in an area that overlaps a location of afunctional module (e.g., the camera 160). Accordingly, the functionalmodule may be exposed to the outside through the opening. According tovarious embodiments, in the software manner, the electronic device 100may expose the functional module to the outside by controlling an outputof a display object or making transparency different when a screen isoutput. For example, the electronic device 100 may output a screen inthe area that overlaps the functional module when the functional moduleis in an inactive state or is not used even through it is in an activestate. As another example, the electronic device 100 may not output ascreen in the area that overlaps the functional module when thefunctional module is being used. Alternatively, the electronic device100 may output a screen by lowering the transparency of the area thatoverlaps the functional module when the functional module is in aninactive state or is not used even though it is in an active state, andmay expose the functional module to the outside by increasing thetransparency of the area that overlaps the functional module, while thefunctional module is used. In this case, the area of the display 110,which overlaps the location of the functional module, may be formed of atransparent material. For example, at least the overlapping area of thedisplay 110 may be formed of a transparent display. According to variousembodiments, the electronic device 100 may implement a physical button,such as a home button 310, in a software way, and may output thephysical button on the display 110.

FIG. 4A is a cross sectional view illustrating an example electronicdevice according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 4B is a cross sectional view illustrating an example electronicdevice in which a touch panel and a front cover are integrally formed,according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4C isa cross sectional view illustrating an example electronic device inwhich a touch panel is attached to a front cover, according to anexample embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4D is a crosssectional view illustrating an example electronic device in which atouch panel is provided in a display panel in an on-cell form, accordingto an example embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4E is a crosssectional view illustrating an example electronic device in which atouch panel is provided in a display panel in an in-cell form, accordingto an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 4A to 4E, a front cover 410 may define an externalappearance of a front surface of an electronic device (e.g., theelectronic device 100). A touch panel 430 may be stacked under the frontcover 410. The touch panel 430 may be formed of a transparent conductivematerial (e.g., an ITO electrode). However, the present disclosure isnot limited thereto. The touch panel 430 may have patterns of an opaquemetallic material, which are so small that they cannot be viewed by theeyes of a person. According to various embodiments, the touch panel 430may be arranged in a glass type in which an electrode is formed in aglass substrate, a film type in which an electrode is formed in plasticand/or film, or an embedding type in which an electrode is integratedwith a display panel 450. The glass type and the film type may includean external (or add-on) type that requires a separate layer between thedisplay panel 450 and the front cover 410, and an integral type in whichan electrode is implemented in the front cover 410. FIG. 4B illustratesan integral type, and FIG. 4C illustrates an add-on type. As anotherexample, FIGS. 4D and 4E illustrate an embedding type, and FIG. 4Dillustrates an on-cell type and FIG. 4E illustrates an in-cell type.

Referring to FIG. 4, the touch panel 430 may be integrally formed withthe front cover 410. According to an embodiment, a Tx electrode and anRx electrode are formed on the front cover 410 with two ITO electrodelayers and an overlapping area of the Tx electrode and the Rx electrodemay be separated by an insulation layer. However, the present disclosureis not limited thereto. In some embodiments, a Tx electrode and an Rxelectrode may be formed on the front cover 410 with one ITO electrodelayer and an insulation layer may be omitted. According to variousembodiments, the display panel 450 may be attached to the touch panel430 under the touch panel 430 through a first bonding member 481.

Referring to FIG. 4C, the touch panel 430 may be inserted between thefront cover 410 and the display panel 450. According to variousembodiments, the touch panel 430 may be provided in a glass type or afilm type. As illustrated in the drawing, the touch panel 430 may beattached to the display panel 450 through the first bonding member 481,and may be attached to the front cover 410 through the second bondingmember 483.

Referring to FIG. 4D, the touch panel 430 may be directly implemented onthe display panel 450. According to an embodiment, an ITO electrode maybe formed in the upper end glass of the display panel 450. Further, thedisplay panel 450 having the touch panel 430 may be attached to thefront cover 410 through the second bonding member 483.

Referring to FIG. 4E, the touch panel 430 may be formed in the interiorof the display panel 450. According to an embodiment, an ITO electrodemay be formed in a thin film transistor (TFT) of the display panel 450.Further, the display panel 450 having the touch panel 430 therein may beattached to the front cover 410 through the second bonding member 483.

According to various embodiments, a pressure sensor 470 may be attachedunder the display panel 450. According to various embodiments, thepressure sensor 470 may be formed in the same layer as the touch panel430, and in some embodiments, may be stacked on or under the touch panel430 to be formed on the display panel 450. According to variousembodiments, a digitizer may be formed under the pressure sensor 470.The digitizer may detect an approach or a contact of an electronic pen(e.g., a stylus) that supports an electromagnetic resonance (EMR) type.According to an embodiment, the digitizer may include a conductivecircuit pattern that may detect an external electromagnetic force. Forexample, the digitizer may detect an electromagnetic force that isemitted from the stylus based on the conductive circuit pattern, and mayhelp determine a point at which the detected electromagnetic force ishighest as a touch coordinate. In some embodiments, the pressure sensor470 may replace the function of the digitizer. For example, the pressuresensor 470 may detect a pressure that is generated when it is pressed bya touch object (e.g., an electronic pen or a portion of the user's body)and help determine a point at which the detected pressure is highest asa touch coordinate.

FIG. 5A is a cross sectional view illustrating an example electronicdevice that includes an antenna that overlaps a display area of adisplay according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 5B is a cross sectional view illustrating an example electronicdevice in which a touch panel and an antenna are formed in the samelayer, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 5C is a cross sectional view illustrating an example electronicdevice that includes an antenna that overlaps a display area of adisplay and a touch panel provided in an in-cell form, according to anexample embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5D is a crosssectional view illustrating an example electronic device in which anantenna that overlaps a display area of a display and a touch panelprovided in an in-cell form are formed in the same layer, according toan example embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5E is a crosssectional view illustrating an example electronic device in which anantenna is provided in a display panel in an in-cell form, according toan example embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5F is a crosssectional view illustrating an example electronic device in which anantenna and a pressure sensor are formed in the same layer of a displaypanel in an in-cell form, according to an example embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5A to 5F, the antenna 590 may overlap a display areaof the display (e.g., the display 110). According to an embodiment, theantenna 590 may be arranged on or over the display panel 550. Accordingto various embodiments, the antenna 590, the touch panel 530, thedisplay panel 550, and the pressure sensor 570 may be sequentiallystacked under the front cover 510. However, the present disclosure isnot limited thereto. In some embodiments, the pressure sensor 570 may beexcluded.

Referring to FIG. 5B, the antenna 590 may be formed in the same layer asthe touch panel 530. According to an embodiment, the touch panel 530 maybe located on the display panel 550, and a conductive member that may beutilized as the antenna 590 may be provided between the electrodesformed in the touch panel 530 or at a location that is adjacent to theelectrodes. The conductive member, for example, may include a conductivepattern to be utilized as a radiator of the antenna 590, and may beelectrically connected with anther antenna to provide a ground area. Insome embodiments, some of the electrodes formed in the touch panel 530may be utilized as radiators of the antenna 590, or may provide groundareas. In this case, the some electrodes may not be connected with atouch control circuit and may be connected with a wireless communicationcircuit or a ground member.

Referring to FIG. 5C, the antenna 590 may be arranged on the displaypanel 550 in which the touch panel 530 is formed in an in-cell form. Forexample, an insulation layer may be arranged on the display panel 550,and a conductive member that may be utilized as the antenna 590 may bearranged in the insulation layer.

Referring to FIG. 5D, the antenna 590 may be arranged on the displaypanel 550 in which the touch panel 530 and the pressure sensor 570 areformed in an in-cell form.

Referring to FIG. 5E, the antenna 590 may be formed in the display panel550 in an in-cell form. For example, the display panel 550 in which theantenna 590 is formed in an in-cell form may be arranged under the touchpanel 530, and the pressure sensor 570 may be arranged under the displaypanel 550. According to an embodiment, a conductive member that may beutilized as the antenna 590 may be arranged in a thin film transistorsubstrate of the display panel 550.

Referring to FIG. 5F, the antenna 590 may be formed in the display panel550 in an in-cell form together with the pressure sensor 570. Accordingto an embodiment, the display panel 550 in which the antenna 590 and thepressure sensor 570 are formed in an in-cell form may be arranged underthe touch panel 530.

According to various embodiments, a portion of the display may becurved. According to an embodiment, at least a portion of a peripheralarea of the display may be curved. When a portion of the display iscurved, an area of at least one of the front cover 510, the antenna 590stacked under the front cover 510, the touch panel 530, the displaypanel 550, or the pressure sensor 570 may be curved.

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an example electronic device in whicha display area of a display is logically classified, according to anexample embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6B is a diagramillustrating an example electronic device in which a display area of adisplay is logically classified in another form, according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the whole surface of the display 610 ofthe electronic device 600 may be displayed as an execution screen of oneactive application (e.g., an application that occupies a foreground of ascreen), or may be divided into a plurality of areas to be displayed asan execution screen of at least one application. According to anembodiment, the display 610 may be divided into a main display area 611and a first sub-display area 613. According to another embodiment, thedisplay 610 may be divided into a main display area 611, a firstsub-display area 613, and a second sub-display area 615. According tovarious embodiments, the main display area 611 is a central area of thedisplay 610 and a ratio of a longitudinal length to a transverse lengthmay be 16:9, and the first sub-display area 613 may define a lower endarea of the display 610 and the second sub-display area 615 may definean upper end area of the display 610. However, the present disclosure isnot limited thereto. The ratios of the areas may be selectively changed,at least one of the first sub-display area 613 or the second sub-displayarea 615 may be omitted, and at least one other sub-display area (e.g.,a third sub-display area (not illustrated)) may be added.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device 600 may outputan execution screen of an application in the main display area 611, andmay display additional functions of the electronic device 600, forexample, a time display function, a battery power display function, or asoft key (e.g., a home button) implemented in a software way in thefirst sub-display area 613 or the second sub-display area 615.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a part of an exampleelectronic device according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 7, in the electronic device (e.g., the electronicdevice 100), a sub-antenna may be formed by utilizing an area of a touchpanel 711 arranged on a display area of a display 750, or a sub-antennamay be formed in an area (e.g., on the same plane as the touch panel)that is adjacent to the touch panel 711. According to an embodiment, afirst conductive member 713 and a second conductive member 715 may bearranged on the same plane as the touch panel 711 arranged in a centralarea of the display 750. The drawing illustrates a state in which thefirst conductive member 713 is arranged adjacent to a lower end of thetouch panel 711 and the second conducive member 715 may be arrangedadjacent to an upper end of the touch panel 711. According to variousembodiments, the touch panel 711 is a transparent electrode (e.g., anITO electrode) that is utilized as a touch sensing part, and may have aTx electrode and an Rx electrode. The touch sensing part may includeconductive islands (e.g., the Tx electrode and the Rx electrode) thatare not electrically connected with a conductive pattern that is formedin the conductive member (e.g., the first conductive member 713 or thesecond conductive member 715). According to an embodiment, theconductive islands may be formed in a repeated pattern. According tovarious embodiments, at least one of the first conductive member 713 orthe second conductive member 715 may include a transparent electrodethat is utilized as the touch sensing part.

According to various embodiments, at least one of the first conductivemember 713 or the second conductive member 715 may be utilized as asub-antenna. According to an embodiment, the first conductive member 713may be connected with a main antenna 730 arranged on a lower end sidesurface of the electronic device, and may secure a performance of themain antenna 730. For example, the first conductive member 713 includesa conductive pattern that may be utilized as an antenna radiator, and aresonance frequency of the main antenna 730 may be adjusted as theconductive pattern is connected with the main antenna 730 such that anelectrical length of the main antenna 730 may be changed. Alternatively,the first conductive member 713 may be electrically connected with themain antenna 730 to provide a ground area. According to variousembodiments, a portion of the first conductive member 713 may beutilized as an antenna, and a portion of the first conductive member 713may be utilized as a touch sensing part. For example, a portion of thefirst conductive member 713 may be connected with the main antenna 730to supplement a performance of the main antenna 730, and a portion ofthe first conductive member 713 may be connected with the touch panel711 to be utilized as a touch sensing part. According to variousembodiments, the second conductive member 715 may be connected with thetouch panel 711 to be utilized as a touch sensing part, and in someembodiments, at least a portion of the second conductive member 715 maybe utilized as a sub-antenna.

According to various embodiments, the touch sensing part formed in thefirst conductive member 713 or the second conductive member 715 may havea density that is lower than the density of the touch sensing partformed in the touch panel 711. For example, a repeated pattern of theconductive islands (e.g., the Tx electrode and the Rx electrode) formedin the first conductive member 713 or the second conductive member 715may have a density that is lower than the density of a repeated patternof the conductive islands (e.g., the Tx electrode and the Rx electrode)formed in the touch panel 711. Accordingly, a conductive pattern thatmay be utilized as an antenna radiator may be formed between repeatedpatterns of the conductive islands formed in the first conductive member713 or the second conductive member 715.

The drawing illustrates a form in which the touch panel 711, and thefirst conductive member 713 and the second conductive member 715 areseparated from each other, but the present disclosure is not limitedthereto. According to various embodiments, at least one of the firstconductive member 713 or the second conductive member 715 may beincluded in the touch panel 711. For example, the touch panel 711 mayextend towards the upper or lower direction. In this case, an area ofthe touch panel 711 that is adjacent to the main antenna 730 may beconnected with the main antenna 730 to supplement the performance of themain antenna 730.

FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating an example sub-antenna that isconnected with a main antenna, according to an example embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating an examplesub-antenna that is connected with a switch, according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8C is a diagram illustratingan example slot antenna according to an example embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 8A to 8C, an electronic device (e.g., the electronicdevice 100) may include a main antenna 810. According to an embodiment,the main antenna 810 may be formed by utilizing at least a portion(e.g., a metal part of the housing) of a housing (e.g., the housing 170)of the electronic device. The main antenna 810 may be connected with aground member 870 and a feeder 811. The feeder 811 may supply electricpower to the main antenna 810, and the ground member 870 may provide aground area. According to an embodiment, the ground member 870 may beincluded in a printed circuit board, and in some embodiments, may beincluded in a heat dissipating member (or a metal member) of a display.

According to various embodiments, a sub-antenna 850 may be formed in atleast an area of a touch panel. According to an embodiment, asub-antenna 850 may be formed between touch sensing parts 830 oradjacent to the touch sensing parts 830. The drawing illustrates a statein which a portion of the sub-antenna 850 is formed between theelectrode patterns (e.g., a repeated pattern of conductive islands) ofthe touch panel.

Referring to FIG. 8A, the sub-antenna 850 may be connected with the mainantenna 810 to supplement the performance of the main antenna 810. Forexample, the main antenna 810 may be connected with the sub-antenna 850to change an electrical length of the main antenna 810, and accordingly,a resonance frequency of the main antenna 810 may be adjusted. Accordingto various embodiments, the sub-antenna 850 may be directly connectedwith the main antenna 810, and may be spaced apart from the main antenna810 by a specific distance. When the sub-antenna 850 is spaced apartfrom the main antenna 810 by a specific distance, the sub-antenna 850and the main antenna 810 are coupled to each other in an adjacent area851 such that an electrical length of the main antenna 810 may beadjusted.

Referring to FIG. 8B, the sub-antenna 850 may be connected with theground member and an additional pattern 890 by a first switch 853 and asecond switch 855. Based on operations of the first switch 853 and thesecond switch 855, an operation and a resonance frequency of thesub-antenna 850 as an antenna may be determined.

Referring to FIG. 8C, a slot 857 may be formed between the touch sensingparts 830 of the touch panel or adjacent to the touch sensing part 830.According to an embodiment, a portion of the touch sensing parts 830 ofthe touch panel may be removed such that the slot 857 is formed.According to various embodiments, as the feeder 811 and the groundmember 870 are connected with a portion of the touch panel having theslot 857, a slot antenna may be implemented.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view illustrating a portion of an exampleelectronic device, illustrating a connection structure of a sub-antennaand a ground member, according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 9B is a cross sectional view illustrating a portion ofan example electronic device, illustrating a connection structure of asub-antenna and a ground member, according to an example embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, an electronic device (e.g., the electronicdevice 100) may include a touch panel 911, a first conductive member913, a second conductive member 915, a display panel 920, a main antenna930, a metal cover 950, and a printed circuit board 970. According to anembodiment, the touch panel 911, the first conductive member 913, andthe second conductive member 915 may be arranged on the same layer.According to various embodiments, at least one of the first conductivemember 913 or the second conductive member 915 may be excluded. In thiscase, the touch panel 911 may extend towards the upper or lowerdirection. As illustrated in FIG. 9B, the main antenna 930 may beconnected with a feeder 931 and a ground member 970.

According to various embodiments, at least one of the first conductivemember 913 or the second conductive member 915 may be utilized as asub-antenna. According to an embodiment, at least one of the firstconductive member 913 or the second conductive member 915 may beconnected with a main antenna 930 to secure a performance of the mainantenna 930.

According to various embodiments, at least one of the first conductivemember 913 or the second conductive member 915 may be connected with aprinted circuit board 970 that provides a ground area. The drawingillustrates a state in which the first conductive member 913 isconnected with the printed circuit board 970 through a connector 990.According to an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 9A, the connector 990may be formed of a flexible material, and a portion of the connector 990may be bent when the first conductive member 913 and the printed circuitboard 970 are connected with each other. In this case, the connector 990may not contact the metal cover 950 that is arranged in the form of afloating metal. For example, an upper end of the connector 990 may beconnected with a front surface of the first conductive member 913 and aportion of the connector 990, which is adjacent to the connected part,may be bent in a direction in which the printed circuit board 970 ispositioned. Further, a lower end of the connector 990 may be connectedwith a rear surface of the printed circuit board 970, and a portion ofthe connector 990, which is adjacent to the connected part, may be bentin a direction in which the first conductive member 913 is positioned.However, the shape of the connector 990, and a location where theconnector 990 is connected with the first conductive member 913 and theprinted circuit board 970 are not limited thereto. According to anotherembodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 9B, an upper end of the connector 990may be connected with a rear surface of the first conductive member 913and a lower end of the connector 990 may be connected with a frontsurface of the printed circuit board 970. According to an embodiment,the connector 990 may include a flexible printed circuit board or aconductive tape. According to various embodiments, the connector 990 maybe fixed to the printed circuit board 970 through a fixing member 991.For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9A, a lower end of the connector 990may be fixed to the printed circuit board 970 by the fixing member 991.According to an embodiment, the fixing member 991 may include a C-clip.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a part of anexample electronic device in another form according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 10, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device100) may include a touch panel 1011, a first conductive member 1013, asecond conductive member 1015, a third conductive member 1017, a fourthconductive member 1019, and a display 1050. According to variousembodiments, the touch panel 1011 may be arranged in a central area ofthe display 1050, and the first conductive member 1013, the secondconductive member 1015, the third conductive member 1017, and the fourthconductive member 1019 may be arranged on the same plate as the touchpanel 1011. The drawing illustrates a state in which the firstconductive member 1013 is arranged adjacent to a lower end of the touchpanel 1011, the second conductive member 1015 is arranged adjacent to anupper end of the touch panel 1011, and the third conductive member 1017and the fourth conductive member 1019 are arranged adjacent to left andright peripheries of the touch panel 1011, respectively. According tovarious embodiments, the first conductive member 1013, the secondconductive member 1015, the third conductive member 1017, and the fourthconductive member 1019 may be arranged in peripheral areas of thedisplay 1050, respectively.

According to various embodiments, at least one of the first conductivemember 1013, the second conductive member 1015, the third conductivemember 1017, and/or the fourth conductive member 1019 may be integrallyformed with the touch panel 1011. According to various embodiments, atleast one of the first conductive member 1013, the second conductivemember 1015, the third conductive member 1017, and the fourth conductivemember 1019 may have a Tx electrode and an Rx electrode to function as atouch sensing part.

According to various embodiments, the touch panel 1011 may be arrangedin an effective display area of the display 1050. The effective displayarea may be an area, in which a ratio of a longitudinal length and atransverse length of the display 1050 is a specific value (e.g., 16:9).According to various embodiments, when at least one of the firstconductive member 1013, the second conductive member 1015, the thirdconductive member 1017, and the fourth conductive member 1019 functionsas a touch sensing part, the corresponding area may be an area (e.g., atouch rejection area), of which a touch sensitivity is a specific valueor less. For example, because an unintended touch may occur due to agrip of a user in an area that is close to a periphery of the electronicdevice, the touch sensitivity of the corresponding area may be set to aspecific value or less.

According to various embodiments, at least one of the first conductivemember 1013, the second conductive member 1015, the third conductivemember 1017, and/or the fourth conductive member 1019 may function as anantenna. According to various embodiments, at least one of the firstconductive member 1013, the second conductive member 1015, the thirdconductive member 1017, and/or the fourth conductive member 1019 may beconnected with each other or independently function as an antenna.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example connection structure of anantenna that utilizes a switch, according to an example embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 11, in an electronic device (e.g., the electronicdevice 100), a portion of a touch panel (e.g., the touch panel 1011) ora conductive member (e.g., the first conductive member 1013, the secondconductive member 1015, the third conductive member 1017, or the fourthconductive member 1019) arranged in the same layer as the touch panelmay be utilized as an antenna. According to various embodiments, theelectronic device may include a plurality of antennas that are spacedapart from each other by a specific distance. According to anembodiment, in the electronic device, a conductive member that isarranged in an upper end area of the touch panel or adjacent to an upperend of the touch panel may be utilized as a first antenna 1130, and aconductive member that is arranged in a lower end area of the touchpanel or adjacent to a lower end of the touch panel may be utilized as asecond antenna 1170. According to various embodiments, the first antenna1130 and the second antenna 1170 may be formed between touch sensingparts 1110 formed in the touch panel or adjacent to the touch sensingparts 1110. The drawing illustrates a state in which a portion ofradiators of the first antenna 1130 and the second antenna 1170 areformed between electrode patterns (e.g., repeated patterns of conductiveislands) of the touch panel. According to various embodiments, the firstantenna 1130 or the second antenna 1170 may be connected with acommunication control circuit 1150 (e.g., an NFC IC).

According to various embodiments, the first antenna 1130 and the secondantenna 1170 may independently perform the functions thereof, or may beconnected with each other through a switch 1190 to form a resonancefrequency that is different from the frequency band of the first antenna1130 and the frequency band of the second antenna 1170. According to anembodiment, the first antenna 1130 and the second antenna 1170 mayindependently perform the functions thereof in a state in which theswitch 1190 is opened, and may function as a third antenna in a state inwhich the switch 1190 is closed.

According to an embodiment, the first antenna 1130 may be operated as anear field communication (NFC) antenna in a state in which the switch1190 is opened. As another embodiment, if the switch 1190 is closed, thefirst antenna 1130 and the second antenna 1170 may be electricallyconnected with each other to be operated as a magnetic stripetransmission (MST) antenna.

FIG. 12A is an exploded perspective view illustrating an exampleelectronic device having a circular display according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12B is a cross sectional viewillustrating an example electronic device having a circular displayaccording to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 12A, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device100) may include a front cover 1210, a conductive member 1220, a groundmember 1230, a display 1240, a housing 1250, a printed circuit board1270, and a rear cover 1280. According to various embodiments, surfacesof the above-described elements may be circular or elliptical as awhole. According to an embodiment, an electronic device may include asmart watch. In the following description, the elements that are thesame as or similar to those of the electronic device 100 of FIG. 1 willbe omitted.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device may have aconductive member 1220 under the front cover 1210. According to anembodiment, a portion of the conductive member 1220 may be utilized as atouch sensing part and a portion of the conductive member 1220 may beutilized as an antenna. According to various embodiments, a groundmember 1230 may be arranged in a peripheral area of the conductivemember 1220.

According to various embodiments, the conductive member 1220 may beconnected with the printed circuit board 1270 through a conductive line1221. According to an embodiment, the conductive line 1221 may be atouch signal line that is connected with the touch sensing part formedat a portion of the conductive member 1220 and a touch control circuitincluded in the printed circuit board 1270. According to variousembodiments, the ground member 1230 may be connected with a ground areaof the printed circuit board 1270 through a first ground connector 1231.In this case, the first ground connector 1231 may detour a main antenna1260 formed in an area of the housing 1250.

According to various embodiments, the housing 1250 may include aconductive material (e.g., a metal), and the conductive material may beutilized as a radiator of the main antenna 1260. According to anembodiment, the conductive material may be spaced apart from theconductive member 1220 by a specific distance or more through the groundmember 1230. According to various embodiments, the ground member 1230may include an insulation material (e.g., glass). In some embodiments,the ground member 1230 includes a plastic material, and in this case,may be formed in the housing 1250 through injection-molding.

Referring to FIG. 12B, in various embodiments, a conductive member 1220in which the ground member 1230 is arranged in a peripheral area thereofmay be arranged in the interior of the display 1240. The conductivemember 1220 may be connected with the printed circuit board 1270 throughthe conductive line 1221, and the ground member 1230 may be connectedwith a ground area of the printed circuit board 1270 through the firstground connector 1231. In an embodiment, the ground member 1230 may beconnected with the housing 1250 through the second ground connector1233. Although not illustrated, in various embodiments, the conductivemember 1220 may be connected with the main antenna 1260.

According to an embodiment, the display 1240 may be connected with theprinted circuit board 1270 through a display driving signal line 1271.The display 1240 may receive a signal related to output of an image froma processor mounted on the printed circuit board 1270, through thedisplay driving signal line 1271.

According to an embodiment, the antenna 1260 arranged at at least aportion of the housing be connected with the printed circuit board 1270through a communication signal line 1273. The main antenna 1260 mayreceive a communication signal (e.g., an RF signal) from a communicationmodule mounted on the printed circuit board 1270 through thecommunication signal line 1273.

FIG. 13A is a diagram illustrating an example antenna that utilizes aportion of a touch panel according to an example embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 13B is a diagram illustrating an exampleantenna that is separated from a touch panel, according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13C is a diagram illustratingan example antenna that utilizes a portion of a touch panel in anotherform, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG.13D is a diagram illustrating an example method of processing a wiringline in an area of an antenna that overlaps an electrode of a touchpanel according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 13A to 13D, in an electronic device (e.g., theelectronic device 100), an antenna may be formed by utilizing an area ofa touch panel or an antenna may be formed in an area that is adjacent tothe touch panel. The touch panel may be arranged such that a pluralityof Rx electrodes 1310 and a plurality of Tx electrodes 1330 cross eachother. As illustrated in the drawings, the Rx electrode 1310 may bearranged longitudinally and the Tx electrode 1330 may be arrangedtransversely.

According to various embodiments, a pattern may be formed in one layerof the Rx electrode 1310 and the Tx electrode 1330, and patterns may beformed in two different layers, respectively. In various embodiments, asillustrated in FIG. 13D, the Rx electrode 1310 and the Tx electrode 1330may be isolated from each other as an insulator 1340 is arranged in anarea in which the Rx electrode 1310 and the Tx electrode 1330 cross eachother. According to an embodiment, a cross point of the Rx electrode1310 and the Tx electrode 1330 may define one touch coordinate.

According to various embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 13A, an area1370 of the touch panel may be utilized as an antenna. For example, anelectrode formed in the area 1370 of the touch panel may be utilized asan antenna radiator or a ground area. In this case, the electrode formedin the area 1370 of the touch panel may be electrically isolated from anelectrode formed in another area of the touch panel 1370. The electrodeformed in the area 1370 of the touch panel may be connected with aground area 1390 of the printed circuit board, and an electrode (e.g.,the touch sensing part of the touch panel) formed in another area of thetouch panel, except for the area 1370 may be connected with the touchcontrol circuit 1350.

According to various embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 13C, an upperend area 1371, a left area, and a right area 1375 of the touch panel maybe utilized as antennas. According to an embodiment, electrodes formedin the upper end area 1371, the left area 1373, and the right area 1375of the touch panel may be connected with the ground area of the printedcircuit board.

According to various embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 13B, in theelectronic device, an antenna may be formed by utilizing a conductivemember arranged in the area 1380 that is adjacent to the touch panel.According to an embodiment, the conductive member may be connected withthe ground area 1390 of the printed circuit board. According to variousembodiments, an electrode formed in an area (e.g., the upper end area1371, the left area 1373, or the right area 1375) of the touch panel ora conductive member arranged in the area 1380 that is adjacent to thetouch panel may be utilized as a ground area of the antenna.

As described above, when an electrode of the touch panel utilized as anantenna is connected with the ground area 1390 of the printed circuitboard, an electrical potential may be reduced as a length of connectionpath decreases as compared with the case in which the electrode of thetouch panel is connected with the ground area, to which the touchcontrol circuit 1350 is connected. Further, if the electrode of thetouch panel is connected with a ground area through the touch controlcircuit 1350, noise may occur as a capacitance or an inductance iscaused in the corresponding path.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example method of processing atouch in an area of a display area of a display, which overlaps anantenna, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 14, the electronic device 1400 may include a display1410. According to various embodiments, the display area of the display1410 may be divided into a main display area 1411, a first sub-displayarea 1413, and a second sub-display area 1415. According to variousembodiments, the main display area 1411 is a central area of the display1410 and a ratio of a longitudinal length to a transverse length may bea specific value (16:9), and the first sub-display area 1413 may definea lower end area of the display 1410 and the second sub-display area1415 may define an upper end area of the display 1410. However, thepresent disclosure is not limited thereto. The ratios of the areas maybe selectively changed, at least one of the first sub-display area 1413or the second sub-display area 1415, and at least one other sub-displayarea (e.g., a third sub-display area (not illustrated) may be added.

According to various embodiments, the antenna may be arranged to overlapthe display area of the display 1410. According to an embodiment, theantenna may be formed by utilizing a conductive member that is arrangedin an area of the touch panel located on the display panel or aconductive member arranged in an area that is adjacent to the touchpanel. According to various embodiments, a first antenna is arranged tooverlap a first sub-display area 1413, and a second antenna may bearranged to overlap a second sub-display area 1415. According to anembodiment, the first antenna and the second antenna may receive RFsignals of specific frequencies, respectively, or may be connected witha main antenna to function as sub-antennas that supplement theperformance of the main antenna.

According to various embodiments, when a conductive pattern utilized asan antenna is formed in an area (e.g., an area that overlaps the firstsub-display area 1413 or the second sub-display area 1415) of the touchpanel, the density of the patterns of the electrodes that function astouch sensing parts formed in the same area may be lower than thedensity of the patterns of the electrodes that function as touch sensingparts formed in another area (e.g., an area that overlaps the maindisplay area 1411) due to the arrangement of the conductive pattern. Inan area in which the density of patterns of electrodes that function astouch sensing parts, touch sensitivity may be relatively low. Further,in an area in which the density of patterns of electrodes that functionas touch sensing parts, touch information (e.g., a touch coordinate, anintensity of a touch, or a touch duration) of a touch input may berelatively inaccurate. According to various embodiments, when a touchinput is made in an area in which the density of the patterns of theelectrodes that function as touch sensing parts is low, the electronicdevice 1400 may output information related to the touch input on themain display area 1411 to prevent wrong touch recognition.

According to various embodiments, when a touch input is made in thefirst sub-display area 1413 or the second sub-display area 1415, theelectronic device 1400 may output at least one of the display objectsincluded in the area in which the touch input is made, in the maindisplay area 1411. The drawing illustrates a state in which a touchinput is made in the second sub-display area 1415 and the electronicdevice 1400 outputs the display object 1430 included in the secondsub-display area 1415 in the main display area 1411. According to anembodiment, when a display object (e.g., the display object 1430)included in the first sub-display area 1413 or the second sub-displayarea 1415 in the main display area 1411, the electronic device 1400 mayoutput the display object 1450, which is made larger than the displayobject by a specific ratio or more or to which an animation effect isapplied. According to various embodiments, when a plurality of displayobjects are included in the first sub-display area 1413 or the secondsub-display area 1415, in which a touch input is made, the electronicdevice 1400 may output a menu popup that includes a plurality of objectsas items such that at least one of the plurality of display objects maybe selected, in the main display area 1411.

According to various embodiments, when a touch input is made in thefirst sub-display area 1413 or the second sub-display area 1415, theelectronic device 1400 may deactivate an antenna that overlaps the firstsub-display area 1413 or the second sub-display area 1415, in which thetouch input is made. According to an embodiment, when an antenna isformed in an area (e.g. the first sub-display area 1413 or the secondsub-display area 1415) of the touch panel, the electronic device 1400may alternately operate the touch sensing part and the antenna at aspecific time interval. For example, the electronic device 1400 maydeactivate the antenna and activate the touch sensing part for a firsttime period, and may deactivate the touch sensing part and activate theantenna for a second time period. If a touch input is made to thecorresponding area while the activation and deactivation of the antennaand the touch sensing part are repeated, the electronic device 1400 maymaintain the deactivation of the antenna and the activation of the touchsensing part until a time point when the touch input is ended or a timepoint after a specific time elapses after the touch input is ended. Asthe antenna is deactivated while the sensing part is activated torecognize the touch, noise that may be caused by the antenna maydecrease so that touch recognition rate may increase.

As described above, according to various embodiments, an electronicdevice may include a housing that comprises a first surface facing in afirst direction, a second surface facing in a second direction oppositefrom the first direction, and a side surface surrounding a space betweenthe first surface and the second surface, a touch screen displaypositioned inside the housing and exposed through the first surface,wherein the display comprises a display panel and a touch panel that isseparated from or integrated with the display panel, a conductive member(conductor) forming at least a portion of the side surface, at least onesubstantially transparent conductive pattern that is integrated into thedisplay, a ground member (ground) interposed between the first surfaceand the second surface, a wireless communication circuit including aport electrically coupled to the conductive member, and a processorelectrically coupled to the display and the wireless communicationcircuit. The substantially transparent conductive pattern may beelectrically coupled to the port of the wireless communication circuitand/or the ground member.

According to various embodiments, the touch panel may include a repeatedpattern of conductive islands, and the conductive pattern issubstantially coplanar with the repeated pattern.

According to various embodiments, the repeated pattern and theconductive pattern may be formed of the same material.

According to various embodiments, the repeated pattern and theconductive pattern may be formed of an ITO electrode.

According to various embodiments, the touch panel may include a firstregion and a second region when viewed from above the first surface. Thefirst region may include a first repeated pattern of conductive islands.The second region may include a second repeated pattern of conductiveislands. The second repeated pattern may be less dense than the firstrepeated pattern. The conductive pattern may be formed in the secondregion.

According to various embodiments, the first surface may include a firstside having a first length, a second side having a second length longerthan the first length, a third side having the first length, and afourth side having the second length. The first side may beperpendicular to the second side and the fourth side and may be parallelto the third side. The second region may abut the first side, a portionof the second side, and a portion of the fourth side opposite from theportion of the second side.

As described above, according to various embodiments, an electronicdevice may include a housing that comprises a first surface facing in afirst direction, a second surface facing in a second direction that isopposite to the first direction, and a side surface surrounding aportion of a space between the first surface and the second surface, atouch screen display located inside the housing and exposed to theoutside through the first surface, wherein the display comprises adisplay panel and a touch panel that is separated from or integratedwith the display panel, a first conductive member forming at least aportion of the side surfaces, at least one other conductive member thatis arranged in the interior of the display to be adjacent to the touchpanel and comprises a substantially transparent conductive pattern, aground member that is located between the first surface and the secondsurface, a wireless communication circuit that comprises a port that iselectrically connected with the first conductive member, and a processorthat is electrically connected with the display and the wirelesscommunication circuit. The conductive pattern may be electricallyconnected with the port of the wireless communication circuit and/or theground member.

According to various embodiments, the at least one other conductivemember may be electrically connected with the first conductive member.

According to various embodiments, the at least one other conductivemember may have a slot in an area thereof.

According to various embodiments, a second conductive member may bearranged adjacent to a lower end of the touch panel. A third conductivemember may be arranged adjacent to an upper end of the touch panel.

According to various embodiments, the second conductive member may beconnected with the ground member or the third conductive member througha switch.

According to various embodiments, the second conductive member may beconnected with the third conductive member through the switch. At leastone of the second conductive member or the third conductive member mayfunction as a first antenna while the switch is opened. The secondconductive member and the third conductive member may be electricallyconnected with each other to function as a second antenna while theswitch is closed.

According to various embodiments, at least one of the second conductivemember or the third conductive member may be electrically connected withthe ground member through a connector formed of a flexible material.

According to various embodiments, the connector may include a flexibleprinted circuit board or a conductive tape.

According to various embodiments, the connector may be fixed to theground member through a fixing member.

According to various embodiments, the fixing member may include aC-clip.

According to various embodiments, a second conductive member may bearranged adjacent to an upper end of the touch panel. A third conductivemember may be arranged adjacent to a lower end of the touch panel. Afourth conductive member may be arranged adjacent to a left end of thetouch panel. A fifth conductive member may be arranged adjacent to aright end of the touch panel.

According to various embodiments, the at least one other conductivemember may include a repeated pattern of conductive islands that areelectrically isolated from the conductive pattern. The conductiveislands may be electrically connected with a touch control circuit tofunction as a touch sensing unit.

According to various embodiments, a density of the repeated pattern ofthe conductive islands included in the at least one other conductivemember may be lower than a density of the repeated pattern of theelectrodes that function as the touch sensing unit included in the touchpanel.

According to various embodiments, if a touch input is detected throughthe repeated pattern of the conductive islands, the processor may beconfigured to output at least one display object that is output in anarea that overlaps the conductive member including the repeated patternof the conductive islands, in an area of an area that overlaps the touchpanel.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example electronic device in anetwork environment according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

An electronic device 1501 in a network environment 1500 according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure will be described withreference to FIG. 15. The electronic device 1501 may include a bus 1510,a processor (e.g., including processing circuitry) 1520, a memory 1530,an input/output interface (e.g., including input/output circuitry) 1550,a display 1560, and a communication interface (e.g., includingcommunication circuitry) 1570. In various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, at least one of the foregoing elements may be omitted oranother element may be added to the electronic device 1501.

The bus 1510 may include a circuit for connecting the above-mentionedelements 1510 to 1570 to each other and transferring communications(e.g., control messages and/or data) among the above-mentioned elements.

The processor 1520 may include various processing circuitry, such as,for example, and without limitation, at least one of a dedicatedprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), an application processor(AP), or a communication processor (CP). The processor 1520 may performdata processing or an operation related to communication and/or controlof at least one of the other elements of the electronic device 1501.

The memory 1530 may include a volatile memory and/or a nonvolatilememory. The memory 1530 may store instructions or data related to atleast one of the other elements of the electronic device 1501. Accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure, the memory 1530 may storesoftware and/or a program 1540. The program 1540 may include, forexample, a kernel 1541, a middleware 1543, an application programminginterface (API) 1545, and/or an application program (or an application)1547. At least a portion of the kernel 1541, the middleware 1543, or theAPI 1545 may be referred to as an operating system (OS).

The kernel 1541 may control or manage system resources (e.g., the bus1510, the processor 1520, the memory 1530, or the like) used to performoperations or functions of other programs (e.g., the middleware 1543,the API 1545, or the application program 1547). Furthermore, the kernel1541 may provide an interface for allowing the middleware 1543, the API1545, or the application program 1547 to access individual elements ofthe electronic device 1501 in order to control or manage the systemresources.

The middleware 1543 may serve as an intermediary so that the API 1545 orthe application program 1547 communicates and exchanges data with thekernel 1541.

Furthermore, the middleware 1543 may handle one or more task requestsreceived from the application program 1547 according to a priorityorder. For example, the middleware 1543 may assign at least oneapplication program 1547 a priority for using the system resources(e.g., the bus 1510, the processor 1520, the memory 1530, or the like)of the electronic device 1501. For example, the middleware 1543 mayhandle the one or more task requests according to the priority assignedto the at least one application, thereby performing scheduling or loadbalancing with respect to the one or more task requests.

The API 1545, which is an interface for allowing the application 1547 tocontrol a function provided by the kernel 1541 or the middleware 1543,may include, for example, at least one interface or function (e.g.,instructions) for file control, window control, image processing,character control, or the like.

The input/output interface 1550 may include various input/outputcircuitry and serve to transfer an instruction or data input from a useror another external device to (an)other element(s) of the electronicdevice 1501. Furthermore, the input/output interface 1550 may outputinstructions or data received from (an)other element(s) of theelectronic device 1501 to the user or another external device.

The display 1560 may include, for example, a liquid crystal display(LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light-emittingdiode (OLED) display, a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) display,or an electronic paper display, or the like, but is not limited thereto.The display 1560 may present various content (e.g., a text, an image, avideo, an icon, a symbol, or the like) to the user. The display 1560 mayinclude a touch screen, and may receive a touch, gesture, proximity orhovering input from an electronic pen or a part of a body of the user.

The communication interface 1570 may include various communicationcircuitry and set communications between the electronic device 1501 andan external device (e.g., a first external electronic device 1502, asecond external electronic device 1504, or a server 1506). For example,the communication interface 1570 may be connected to a network 1562 viawireless communications or wired communications so as to communicatewith the external device (e.g., the second external electronic device1504 or the server 1506).

The wireless communications may employ at least one of cellularcommunication protocols such as long-term evolution (LTE), LTE-advance(LTE-A), code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband CDMA (WCDMA),universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), wireless broadband(WiBro), or global system for mobile communications (GSM). The wirelesscommunications may include, for example, a short-range communications1564. The short-range communications may include at least one ofwireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC),magnetic stripe transmission (MST), or GNSS.

The MST may generate pulses according to transmission data and thepulses may generate electromagnetic signals. The electronic device 1501may transmit the electromagnetic signals to a reader device such as aPOS (point of sales) device. The POS device may detect the magneticsignals by using a MST reader and restore data by converting thedetected electromagnetic signals into electrical signals.

The GNSS may include, for example, at least one of global positioningsystem (GPS), global navigation satellite system (GLONASS), BeiDounavigation satellite system (BeiDou), or Galileo, the European globalsatellite-based navigation system according to a use area or abandwidth. Hereinafter, the term “GPS” and the term “GNSS” may beinterchangeably used. The wired communications may include at least oneof universal serial bus (USB), high definition multimedia interface(HDMI), recommended standard 832 (RS-232), plain old telephone service(POTS), or the like. The network 1562 may include at least one oftelecommunications networks, for example, a computer network (e.g.,local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN)), the Internet, or atelephone network.

The types of the first external electronic device 1502 and the secondexternal electronic device 1504 may be the same as or different from thetype of the electronic device 1501. According to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the server 1506 may include a group of one or moreservers. A portion or all of operations performed in the electronicdevice 1501 may be performed in one or more other electronic devices(e.g., the first electronic device 1502, the second external electronicdevice 1504, or the server 1506). When the electronic device 1501 shouldperform a certain function or service automatically or in response to arequest, the electronic device 1501 may request at least a portion offunctions related to the function or service from another device (e.g.,the first electronic device 1502, the second external electronic device1504, or the server 1506) instead of or in addition to performing thefunction or service for itself. The other electronic device (e.g., thefirst electronic device 1502, the second external electronic device1504, or the server 1506) may perform the requested function oradditional function, and may transfer a result of the performance to theelectronic device 1501. The electronic device 1501 may use a receivedresult itself or additionally process the received result to provide therequested function or service. To this end, for example, a cloudcomputing technology, a distributed computing technology, or aclient-server computing technology may be used.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an example electronic device1601 according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

An electronic device 1601, for example, may include the whole part or aportion of the electronic device 1501 of FIG. 15. The electronic device1601 may include at least one processor (e.g., an application processor(AP)) (e.g., including processing circuitry) 1610, a communicationmodule (e.g., including communication circuitry) 1620, a subscriberidentification module (SIM) card 1624, a memory 1630, a sensor module1640, an input device (e.g., including input circuitry) 1650, a firstdisplay 1660, a second display 1665, an interface (e.g., includinginterface circuitry) 1670, an audio module 1680, a camera module 1691, apower management module 1695, a battery 1696, an indicator 1697, or amotor 1698.

The processor 1610 may include various processing circuitry and run anoperating system or an application program so as to control a pluralityof hardware or software elements connected to the processor 1610, andmay process various data and perform operations. The processor 1610 maybe implemented with, for example, a system on chip (SoC). According toan embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor 1610 may furtherinclude a graphic processing unit (GPU) and/or an image signalprocessor. The processor 1610 may include at least a portion (e.g., acellular module 1621) of the elements illustrated in FIG. 16. Theprocessor 1610 may load, on a volatile memory, an instruction or datareceived from at least one of other elements (e.g., a nonvolatilememory) to process the instruction or data, and may store various datain a nonvolatile memory.

The communication module 1620 may have a configuration that is the sameas or similar to that of the communication interface 1570 of FIG. 15.The communication module 1620 may include various communicationcircuitry, such as, for example, and without limitation, a cellularmodule 1621, a Wi-Fi module 1623, a Bluetooth (BT) module 1625, a GNSSmodule 1627 (e.g., a GPS module, a GLONASS module, a BeiDou module, or aGalileo module), a NFC module 1628, and a radio frequency (RF) module1629.

The cellular module 1621 may provide, for example, a voice call service,a video call service, a text message service, or an Internet servicethrough a communication network. The cellular module 1621 may identifyand authenticate the electronic device 1601 in the communication networkusing the subscriber identification module 1624 (e.g., a SIM card). Thecellular module 1621 may perform at least a part of functions that maybe provided by the processor 1610. The cellular module 1621 may includea communication processor (CP).

Each of the Wi-Fi module 1623, the Bluetooth module 1625, the GNSSmodule 1627 and the NFC module 1628 may include, for example, aprocessor for processing data transmitted/received through the modules.According to some various embodiments of the present disclosure, atleast a part (e.g., two or more) of the cellular module 1621, the Wi-Fimodule 1623, the Bluetooth module 1625, the GNSS module 1627, and theNFC module 1628 may be included in a single integrated chip (IC) or ICpackage.

The RF module 1629 may transmit/receive, for example, communicationsignals (e.g., RF signals). The RF module 1629 may include, for example,a transceiver, a power amp module (PAM), a frequency filter, a low noiseamplifier (LNA), an antenna, or the like. According to anotherembodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the cellularmodule 1621, the Wi-Fi module 1623, the Bluetooth module 1625, the GNSSmodule 1627, or the NFC module 1628 may transmit/receive RF signalsthrough a separate RF module.

The SIM 1624 may include, for example, an embedded SIM and/or a cardcontaining the subscriber identity module, and may include uniqueidentification information (e.g., an integrated circuit card identifier(ICCID)) or subscriber information (e.g., international mobilesubscriber identity (IMSI)).

The memory 1630 (e.g., the memory 1530) may include, for example, aninternal memory 1632 and/or an external memory 1634. The internal memory1632 may include at least one of a volatile memory (e.g., a dynamic RAM(DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), a synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), or thelike), a nonvolatile memory (e.g., a one-time programmable ROM (OTPROM),a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), anelectrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), a mask ROM, a flashROM, a flash memory (e.g., a NAND flash memory, a NOR flash memory, orthe like)), a hard drive, or a solid state drive (SSD).

The external memory 1634 may include a flash drive such as a compactflash (CF), a secure digital (SD), a Micro-SD, a Mini-SD, an extremedigital (xD), a MultiMediaCard (MMC), a memory stick, or the like. Theexternal memory 1634 may be operatively and/or physically connected tothe electronic device 1601 through various interfaces.

The sensor module 1640 may, for example, measure physical quantity ordetect an operation state of the electronic device 1601 and convert themeasured or detected information into an electrical signal. The sensormodule 1640 may include, for example, at least one of a gesture sensor1640A, a gyro sensor 1640B, a barometric pressure (e.g., atmosphericpressure) sensor 1640C, a magnetic sensor 1640D, an acceleration sensor1640E, a grip sensor 1640F, a proximity sensor 1640E a color sensor1640H (e.g., a red/green/blue (RGB) sensor), a biometric (e.g., bio)sensor 1640I, a temperature/humidity sensor 1640J, an illuminationsensor 1640K, or an ultraviolet (UV) sensor 1640M. Additionally oralternatively, the sensor module 1640 may include, for example, anolfactory sensor (E-nose sensor), an electromyography (EMG) sensor, anelectroencephalogram (EEG) sensor, an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, aninfrared (IR) sensor, an iris recognition sensor, and/or a fingerprintsensor. The sensor module 1640 may further include a control circuit forcontrolling at least one sensor included therein. In some variousembodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device 1601 mayfurther include a processor configured to control the sensor module 1640as a part of the processor 1610 or separately, so that the sensor module1640 is controlled while the processor 1610 is in a sleep state.

The input device 1650 may include various input circuitry, such as, forexample, and without limitation, a touch panel 1652, a (digital) pensensor 1654, a key 1656, or an ultrasonic input device 1658. The touchpanel 1652 may employ at least one of capacitive, resistive, infrared,and ultraviolet sensing methods. The touch panel 1652 may furtherinclude a control circuit. The touch panel 1652 may further include atactile layer so as to provide a haptic feedback to a user.

The (digital) pen sensor 1654 may include, for example, a sheet forrecognition which is a part of a touch panel or is separate. The key1656 may include, for example, a physical button, an optical button, ora keypad. The ultrasonic input device 1658 may sense ultrasonic wavesgenerated by an input tool through a microphone 1688 so as to identifydata corresponding to the ultrasonic waves sensed.

In an embodiment, the display (e.g., the display 1560) may include afirst display 1660 or a second display 1665. The first display 1660 mayinclude a first panel 1662, and a first display driver IC (DDI)configured to control the first panel 1662. The first panel 1662 mayhave a plurality of pixels, and each of the pixels may includesub-pixels (lower pixels) that display red, green, and blue (RGB) whichare three primary colors. Each of the sub-pixels may include at leastone transistor, and a pixel may be adjusted to express a color based ona voltage (or a flowing current) applied to the transistor. A first DDI1664 may include a gate driver circuit part that has an on/off functionand controls a gate of a sub-pixel and a source driver circuit part thatmakes a difference of color by adjusting an image signal of thesub-pixel, and may provide an entire screen while adjusting a transistorof the sub-pixel of the first panel 1662. The first DDI 1664 may receivea first image data from the processor 1610, and may be operated suchthat an image may be displayed in the first panel 1662.

The second display 1665 may include a second panel 1662, and a seconddisplay driver IC (DDI) configured to control the second panel 1666. Thesecond panel 1666 may have a plurality of pixels, and each of the pixelsmay include sub-pixels that display red, green, and blue (RGB) which arethree primary colors. Each of the sub-pixels may include at least onetransistor, and a pixel may be adjusted to express a color based on avoltage (or a flowing current) applied to the transistor. A second DDI1668 may include a gate driver circuit part that has an on/off functionand controls a gate of a sub-pixel and a source driver circuit part thatmakes a difference of color by adjusting an image signal of thesub-pixel, and may provide an entire screen while adjusting a transistorof the sub-pixel of the second panel 1666. The second DDI 1668 mayreceive a first image data, which is the same as or different form thefirst image data, from the processor 1610, and may be operated such thatan image may be displayed in the second panel 1666.

In various embodiments, at least one of the first panel 1662 or thesecond panel 1666, for example, may be implemented to be flat, flexible,or bendable. At least one of the first panel 1662 or the second panel1666 may include at least one module of a touch panel 1652 and/or a pensensor 1654.

According to an embodiment, the first panel 1662 or the second panel1666 may include a pressure sensor (for a force sensor) that may measurethe magnitude of a pressure for a touch of the user. The pressure sensormay be implemented integrally with the touch panel 1652 or may beimplemented by one or more sensors that are separate from the touchpanel 1652.

A first display 1660 and a second display 1665 (e.g., the display 1560)may include another image output manner (a hologram device or aprojector) (not illustrated) and/or a control circuit for controllingthe same.

In embodiments that implement a device including a plurality ofdisplays, at least some of the contents (for example, image data or animage data stream) that are changed by various module and devices of theelectronic device 1601 may be processed by using the processor 1610. Theprocessor 1610 may determine that the changed contents are output on atleast one of the first display 1660 or the second display 1665. Forexample, the first display 1660 may output a command received from thecommunication module 1620, and the second display 1665 may output acommand received from the sensor module 1640. In another embodiment, thecontents output from the first display 1660 may be displayed after beingconverted to the screen of the second display and/or being expanded orthe contents output from the second display 1665 may be displayed afterbeing converted to the screen of the first display 1660 and/or beingexpanded.

The interface 1670 may include various interface circuitry, such as, forexample, and without limitation, an HDMI 1672, a USB 1674, an opticalinterface 1676, or a D-subminiature (D-sub) 1678. The interface 1670,for example, may be included in the communication interface 1570illustrated in FIG. 15. Additionally or alternatively, the interface1670 may include, for example, a mobile high-definition link (MHL)interface, an SD card/multi-media card (MMC) interface, or an infrareddata association (IrDA) interface.

The audio module 1680 may convert, for example, a sound into anelectrical signal or vice versa. At least a portion of elements of theaudio module 1680 may be included in the input/output interface 1550illustrated in FIG. 15. The audio module 1680 may process soundinformation input or output through a speaker 1682, a receiver 1684, anearphone 1686, or the microphone 1688.

The camera module 1691 is, for example, a device for shooting a stillimage or a video. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure,the camera module 1691 may include at least one image sensor (e.g., afront sensor or a rear sensor), a lens, an image signal processor (ISP),or a flash (e.g., an LED or a xenon lamp).

The power management module 1695 may manage power of the electronicdevice 1601. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, thepower management module 1695 may include a power management integratedcircuit (PMIC), a charger integrated circuit (IC), or a battery orgauge. The PMIC may employ a wired and/or wireless charging method. Thewireless charging method may include, for example, a magnetic resonancemethod, a magnetic induction method, an electromagnetic method, or thelike. An additional circuit for wireless charging, such as a coil loop,a resonant circuit, a rectifier, or the like, may be further included.The battery gauge may measure, for example, a remaining capacity of thebattery 1696 and a voltage, current or temperature thereof while thebattery is charged. The battery 1696 may include, for example, arechargeable battery and/or a solar battery.

The indicator 1697 may display a specific state of the electronic device1601 or a part thereof (e.g., the processor 1610), such as a bootingstate, a message state, a charging state, or the like. The motor 1698may convert an electrical signal into a mechanical vibration, and maygenerate a vibration or haptic effect. Although not illustrated, aprocessing device (e.g., a GPU) for supporting a mobile TV may beincluded in the electronic device 1601. The processing device forsupporting a mobile TV may process media data according to the standardsof digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB), digital video broadcasting(DVB), MediaFLO™, or the like.

Each of the elements described herein may be configured with one or morecomponents, and the names of the elements may be changed according tothe type of an electronic device. In various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, an electronic device may include at least one of theelements described herein, and some elements may be omitted or otheradditional elements may be added. Furthermore, some of the elements ofthe electronic device may be combined with each other so as to form oneentity, so that the functions of the elements may be performed in thesame manner as before the combination.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating an example program moduleaccording to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 17, a program module 1710 (e.g., the program 1540) mayinclude an operating system (OS) for controlling a resource related toan electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 1501) and/or variousapplications (e.g., the application program 1547) running on the OS. Theoperating system may be, for example, Android, iOS, Windows, Symbian,Tizen, or the like.

The program module 1710 may include a kernel 1720, a middleware 1730, anAPI 1760, and/or an application 1770. At least a part of the programmodule 1710 may be preloaded on an electronic device or may bedownloaded from an external electronic device (e.g., the firstelectronic device 1502, the second external electronic device 1504, orthe server 1506).

The kernel 1720 (e.g., the kernel 1541) may include, for example, asystem resource manager 1721 or a device driver 1723. The systemresource manager 1721 may perform control, allocation, or retrieval of asystem resource. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure,the system resource manager 1721 may include a process management unit,a memory management unit, a file system management unit, or the like.The device driver 1723 may include, for example, a display driver, acamera driver, a Bluetooth driver, a shared memory driver, a USB driver,a keypad driver, a Wi-Fi driver, an audio driver, or an inter-processcommunication (IPC) driver.

The middleware 1730, for example, may provide a function that theapplications 1770 require in common, or may provide various functions tothe applications 1770 through the API 1760 so that the applications 1770may efficiently use limited system resources in the electronic device.According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the middleware1730 (e.g., the middleware 1543) may include at least one of a runtimelibrary 1735, an application manager 1741, a window manager 1742, amultimedia manager 1743, a resource manager 1744, a power manager 1745,a database manager 1746, a package manager 1747, a connectivity manager1748, a notification manager 1749, a location manager 1750, a graphicmanager 1751, and a security manager 1752.

The runtime library 1735 may include, for example, a library module thata complier uses to add a new function through a programming languagewhile the application 1770 is running. The runtime library 1735 mayperform a function for input/output management, memory management, or anarithmetic function.

The application manager 1741 may mange, for example, a life cycle of atleast one of the applications 1770. The window manager 1742 may manage aGUI resource used in a screen. The multimedia manager 1743 may recognizea format required for playing various media files and may encode ordecode a media file using a codec matched to the format. The resourcemanager 1744 may manage a resource such as a source code, a memory, or astorage space of at least one of the applications 1770.

The power manager 1745, for example, may operate together with a basicinput/output system (BIOS) to manage a battery or power and may providepower information required for operating the electronic device. Thedatabase manager 1746 may generate, search, or modify a database to beused in at least one of the applications 1770. The package manager 1747may manage installation or update of an application distributed in apackage file format.

The connectivity manger 1748 may manage wireless connection of Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, or the like. The notification manager 1749 may display ornotify an event such as message arrival, appointments, and proximityalerts in such a manner as not to disturb a user. The location manager1750 may manage location information of the electronic device. Thegraphic manager 1751 may manage a graphic effect to be provided to auser or a user interface related thereto. The security manager 1752 mayprovide various security functions required for system security or userauthentication. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, inthe case in which an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device1501) includes a phone function, the middleware 1730 may further includea telephony manager for managing a voice or video call function of theelectronic device.

The middleware 1730 may include a middleware module for forming acombination of various functions of the above-mentioned elements. Themiddleware 1730 may provide a module specialized for each type of anoperating system to provide differentiated functions. Furthermore, themiddleware 1730 may delete a part of existing elements or may add newelements dynamically.

The API 1760 (e.g., the API 1545) which is, for example, a set of APIprogramming functions may be provided in different configurationsaccording to an operating system. For example, in the case of Android oriOS, one API set may be provided for each platform, and, in the case ofTizen, at least two API sets may be provided for each platform.

The application 1770 (e.g., the application program 1547), for example,may include at least one application capable of performing functionssuch as a home 1771, a dialer 1772, an SMS/MMS 1773, an instant message(IM) 1774, a browser 1775, a camera 1776, an alarm 1777, a contact 1778,a voice dial 1779, an e-mail 1780, a calendar 1781, a media player 1782,an album 1783, a clock 1784, health care (e.g., measure an exerciseamount or blood sugar), or environmental information provision (e.g.,provide air pressure, humidity, or temperature information).

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the application1770 may include an information exchange application for supportinginformation exchange between the electronic device (e.g., the electronicdevice 1501) and an external electronic device (e.g., the firstelectronic device 1502 or the second external electronic device 1504).The information exchange application may include, for example, anotification relay application for relaying specific information to theexternal electronic device or a device management application formanaging the external electronic device.

For example, the notification relay application may have a function forrelaying, to an external electronic device (e.g., the first electronicdevice 1502 or the second external electronic device 1504), notificationinformation generated in another application (e.g., an SMS/MMSapplication, an e-mail application, a health care application, anenvironmental information application, or the like) of the electronicdevice. Furthermore, the notification relay application may receivenotification information from the external electronic device and mayprovide the received notification information to the user.

The device management application, for example, may manage (e.g.,install, delete, or update) at least one function (e.g., turn-on/turnoff of the external electronic device itself (or some elements) or thebrightness (or resolution) adjustment of a display) of the externalelectronic device (e.g., the first electronic device 1502 or the secondexternal electronic device 1504) communicating with the electronicdevice, an application running in the external electronic device, or aservice (e.g., a call service, a message service, or the like) providedfrom the external electronic device.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the application1770 may include a specified application (e.g., a healthcare applicationof a mobile medical device) according to an attribute of the externalelectronic device (e.g., the first electronic device 1502 or the secondexternal electronic device 1504). The application 1770 may include anapplication received from an external electronic device (e.g., the firstelectronic device 1502 or the second external electronic device 1504).The application 1770 may include a preloaded application or athird-party application downloadable from a server. The names of theelements of the program module 1710 illustrated may vary with the typeof an operating system.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, at least apart of the program module 1710 may be implemented with software,firmware, hardware, or a combination thereof. At least a part of theprogram module 1710, for example, may be implemented (e.g., executed) bya processor (e.g., the processor 1610). At least a part of the programmodule 1710 may include, for example, a module, a program, a routine,sets of instructions, or a process for performing at least one function.

According to various example embodiments of the present disclosure, aninternal space utilizing issue of the electronic device may be addressedby arranging the antenna at a location at which the antenna overlaps adisplay area of the display.

Further, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, theradiation performance of an antenna may be secured utilizing a secondantenna as a sub-antenna of the first antenna.

In addition, the present disclosure may provide various effects that aredirectly or indirectly recognized.

The term “module” used herein may represent, for example, a unitincluding one of hardware, software and firmware or a combinationthereof. The term “module” may be interchangeably used with the terms“unit”, “logic”, “logical block”, “component” and “circuit”. The“module” may be a minimum unit of an integrated component or may be apart thereof. The “module” may be a minimum unit for performing one ormore functions or a part thereof. The “module” may be implementedmechanically or electronically. For example, the “module” may include atleast one of a dedicated processor, a CPU, an application-specificintegrated circuit (ASIC) chip, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA),and a programmable-logic device for performing some operations, whichare known or will be developed.

At least a part of devices (e.g., modules or functions thereof) ormethods (e.g., operations) according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure may be implemented as instructions stored in acomputer-readable storage medium in the form of a program module. In thecase where the instructions are performed by a processor (e.g., theprocessor 1520), the processor may perform functions corresponding tothe instructions. The computer-readable storage medium may be, forexample, the memory 1530.

A computer-readable recording medium may include a hard disk, a floppydisk, a magnetic medium (e.g., a magnetic tape), an optical medium(e.g., CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD)), a magneto-optical medium(e.g., a floptical disk), or a hardware device (e.g., a ROM, a RAM, aflash memory, or the like). The program instructions may include machinelanguage codes generated by compilers and high-level language codes thatcan be executed by computers using interpreters. The above-mentionedhardware device may be configured to be operated as one or more softwaremodules for performing operations of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure and vice versa.

A module or a program module according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure may include at least one of the above-mentionedelements, or some elements may be omitted or other additional elementsmay be added. Operations performed by the module, the program module orother elements according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure may be performed in a sequential, parallel, iterative orheuristic way. Furthermore, some operations may be performed in anotherorder or may be omitted, or other operations may be added.

While the present disclosure has been illustrated and described withreference to certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be madetherein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should not be defined asbeing limited to the example embodiments, but should be defined by theappended claims and equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable communication device comprising: aconductive member forming at least part of a surface of the portablecommunication device; one or more wireless communication circuitryelectrically coupled with the conductive member; a display including atouch screen having at least one first transparent conductive materialconfigured to sense a touch input and at least one second transparentconductive material configured to receive a wireless signal, the atleast one second transparent conductive material being electricallycoupled with the one or more wireless communication circuitry, the atleast one second transparent conductive material including a firstconductive pattern and a second conductive pattern; and one or moreswitches configured to selectively couple the first conductive patternwith the second conductive pattern and/or selectively couple the firstconductive pattern or the second conductive pattern to a ground of theportable communication device.
 2. The portable communication device ofclaim 1, wherein the display includes a curved surface extending from aplanar surface of the display.
 3. The portable communication device ofclaim 1, wherein the display is substantially formed in a circularshape.
 4. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein thetouch screen includes a repeated pattern of a plurality of conductiveislands as at least part of the at least one first transparentconductive material.
 5. The portable communication device of claim 1,wherein the at least one first transparent conductive material and theat least one second transparent conductive material comprise indium tinoxide (ITO).
 6. The portable communication device of claim 1, whereinthe first conductive pattern is configured as a first radiating elementcorresponding to a first resonance frequency, and the second conductivepattern is configured as a second radiating element corresponding to asecond resonance frequency.
 7. The portable communication device ofclaim 6, further comprising a first feeding point being coupled betweenthe first conductive pattern and the one or more wireless communicationcircuitry, and a second feeding point electrically being coupled betweenthe second conductive pattern and the one or more wireless communicationcircuitry.
 8. The portable communication device of claim 1, furthercomprising a third conductive pattern configured as a third radiatingelement corresponding to a third resonance frequency, the thirdconductive pattern being selectively coupled with the first conductivepattern and/or the second conductive pattern using the one or moreswitches.
 9. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein theat least one second transparent conductive material is electricallycoupled with the ground of the portable communication device.
 10. Theportable communication device of claim 1, wherein the portablecommunication device includes a smart watch.
 11. A portablecommunication device comprising: one or more wireless communicationcircuitry; and a display including a touch screen having at least onefirst transparent conductive material configured to sense a touch inputand at least one second transparent conductive material configured toreceive a wireless signal, the at least one second transparentconductive material being electrically coupled with the one or morewireless communication circuitry, wherein at least one first transparentconductive material includes a first touch pattern and a second touchpattern, wherein at least part of the at least one second transparentconductive material is disposed between the first touch pattern and thesecond touch pattern.
 12. The portable communication device of claim 11,further comprising a conductive member forming at least part of asurface of the portable communication device, wherein the conductivemember is electrically coupled with the one or more wirelesscommunication circuitry.
 13. The portable communication device of claim11, wherein the touch screen includes a first layer and a second layer,the first layer including the at least one first transparent conductivematerial formed thereon, and the second layer including the at least onesecond transparent conductive material formed thereon.
 14. The portablecommunication device of claim 11, wherein the display includes apressure sensor configured to sense a pressure related to the touchinput.
 15. The portable communication device of claim 14, wherein thepressure sensor is configured to: provide data corresponding to thepressure to a processor, wherein the processor is configured todetermine a touch coordinate based at least in part on the data.
 16. Aportable communication device comprising: a conductive member forming atleast part of a surface of the portable communication device; a printedcircuit board (PCB) including a ground; one or more wirelesscommunication circuitry electrically coupled with the conductive member,the one or more wireless communication circuitry being mounted on thePCB; a display including a touch screen having at least one firsttransparent conductive material configured to sense a touch input and atleast one second transparent conductive material configured to receive awireless signal, the at least one second transparent conductive materialbeing electrically coupled with the one or more wireless communicationcircuitry; and one or more switches configured to selectively couple thesecond transparent conductive material to the ground.
 17. The portablecommunication device of claim 16, wherein the at least one firsttransparent conductive material and the at least one second transparentconductive material comprise indium tin oxide (ITO).
 18. The portablecommunication device of claim 16, wherein the at least one secondtransparent conductive material includes a first conductive pattern anda second conductive pattern, and the one or more switches are configuredto selectively couple the first conductive pattern with the secondconductive pattern.
 19. The portable communication device of claim 16,wherein the at least one second transparent conductive material includesa first conductive pattern and a second conductive pattern, and the oneor more switches are configured to selectively couple the firstconductive pattern and/or the second conductive pattern to the ground.